FRIENDSHIP COURAGE ADVENTURE
Junior Mariners is a learn to sail program that motivates youth to become life-long-sailors on a variety of dinghies and small keelboats. Ideal for youth ages 9 to 14, we mix abilities to encourage near peer learning, new friendships and adventures.
The program is structured to allow flexible attendance, summer vs year-round, or selected dates. Practical skills development and periodic written tests are used to award color coded “Skipper” hats and certificates to recognize advancement.
Our kid-approved Junior Mariner pathway is:
Crew > First Mate > Junior Skipper > Master Skipper > Voyager
A key aspect is the "Move-Up" Log, a 35-step system of record that gives Junior Mariners, instructors and parents an easy way to track and reward individual progress.
"What will we do today?" is a shared decision process based on the weather, tides and skill levels. We rotate through different activities, rather than repeating the same activity each day.
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Boat Handling
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Communication
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Local Knowledge
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Piloting
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Safety
“Civilization itself is a product of the boats and sailing skills that made trade and transportation across vast seas and rivers possible. People sailed (and raced their boats too) thousands of years ago. Reading the wind, facing the water, and heading into the breeze creates courageous men and women. It's an activity that seamlessly connects one with inspiring historical events from every century. You should feel your heart swell when you see kids with their boats."
- reader comment from a 2012 article about why Olympic sailing should be more inclusive.
FRIENDSHIP COURAGE ADVENTURE